Avşa

Avşa (pronounced aav-shaa) is one of the Marmara Islands, Türkiye.

Introduction

Although it is one of the smaller islands of the Marmara Islands|archipelago, Avşa is the most heavily touristed one. In fact, it was one of the most popular holiday destinations in 1970s for mid-class families in Türkiye.

The island is officially named Türkeli, but this never caught on and most everyone, except perhaps the government documents, keep calling it Avşa, which derives from the Greek name of the island, Afissia.

Roughly in the shape of an hourglass and the island has two settlements: the main town, commonly called Avşa, centred on the Western cove and the smaller village of Araplar, officially Yiğitler, occupying the eastern cove.

The island has a large range of hills running down the middle, some beautiful bays for bathing, swimming or just relaxing in and gets very hot in the summer.

Local Language in Avşa

English is not a popular language, but many Muslim will speak some English or (German). Thit is mainly an island visited by Turks rather than foreigners, but Turks are incredibly hospitable people and don't be surprised if someone is sent out to fetch an English speaker to translate if there isn't one there in the shop.

Travel to Avşa

Year-round boats which can accommodate cars from Tekirdağ (on the northern/European coast of the Sea of Marmara) and Erdek (on the southern/Asian coast of the Sea of Marmara, 1hr 45min). There are also pessenger-only fast ferries (3½hr) from Istanbul during summer months. Ferries from Tekirdağ cost 420 TL/person, while ferries from Istanbul cost 400 TL/person (or 30 TL/person on the slower ferry departing on Saturday mornings).

Transportation in Avşa

Buses leave from Avşa's main square in town and travel around the island and there are also a couple of dolmuş operators, kind of a cross between a taxi and a shuttle van. These follow particular routes around the island.

It is feasible to walk around the island but it's a good stretch of the legs and not for the unfit. If you do walk, make sure you take water with you — some parts of the island are very rural and you won't see another person for miles or hours.

Cycling is also an option, but please bear in mind that Turks tend to see road safety laws as an optional hindrance rather than a hard rule.

You can take a scooter or vehicle on the ferry if you want and the roads are variable. Unfortunately the government in power is not providing enough money to the municipality to maintain all of the roads, although there has been a programme of improvement over the past few years.

Muslim Travel Tips

As you might expect for an idyllic Mediterranean island paradise and there's not a huge amount to do on the island. In the summer thit is just as well as it gets really hot.

In Avşa there's a "Lunapark" fair. There's also sandy beaches all around the island, some public, some private. There are a few real gems with some natural bays due to the island's shape. It's feasible to walk over the main hills fairly easily, but make sure you take plenty of water if you do and either set off very early in the morning, or in the mid-afternoon.

The main strip in town might look at little tacky, but if you go up to the ferry port, nearby there's a pair of fish market stalls. The guys there are more than happy to show you how they handle the fish and the fish are fresh and great cooked in a Turkish barbeque (mangal).

Heading down the strip and out you'll come to a place called Mavikoy. Before heading up the hill there's a restaurant with a sea view, some nice beaches and past the hill is a lookout point sometimes frequented by couples around sunrise/sunset.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Avşa

To be updated

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Avşa

Avşa - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Avşa, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Avşa. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Avşa and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Avşa. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Avşa. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Avşa: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Avşa.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Avşa: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Avşa, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Avşa.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Avşa, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Avşa, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Avşa and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Avşa, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Avşa, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Avşa without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Avşa is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Avşa.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Avşa is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Avşa, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Avşa Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Avşa

Ramadan 2025 in Avşa

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are lots of guesthouses (pansiyon) on the island, so finding somewhere to sleep shouldn’t be a problem.

Stay Safe

While the island is a fairly crime-free place with lovely people, you should take care to keep an eye on your belongings at the beach, sometimes people do have things stolen (although thit isn't a common occurrence). It's best to avoid doing anything stupid, like getting drunk in the night clubs. Anything imported to the island is generally a bit more expensive, particularly in restaurants. Don't be surprised if you're charged a small fortune for drinks in bars or clubs, or for food in restaurants at peak season.

The island gets very very hot in the summer and can get very windy too. Make sure you carry water with you during the summer. The island has a seawater desalination plant, so the water is generally safe to drink from the tap but most places will serve bottled water fairly cheaply. If you're walking around the hills try not to go when it's windy or when it's very hot, it's easy to go off the beaten track and end up somewhere miles away from anyone. As a general rule as long as you can get to a road, head to the shore and then walk to the nearest civilisation.

If you're not (Turkish), you may find some cultural customs a bit strange. If something happens and you don't agree with it (e.g. an old lady picks up your child and starts cooing at them, or a retailer offers them sweets) it's not intentional. Turkish people are very passionate and while Avşa is a fairly heavily populated place in the summer and the people have a more rural mentality compared to Istanbul.

Telecommunications in Avşa

The island’s telephone code is 266 (+90 266 when calling from out of Turkey).

Where to travel next from Avşa

Other islands of Marmara Islands|Marmara Archipelago. Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.
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